Category: Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I have a letter dated 24 May from the BBC Switchover Help Scheme for over 75s. I?m not clear about the technicalities of this but I understand we need them for our television. We had sent a cheque for

DEAR EDITOR, I refer to your article re the problems on the day of the count for the local elections. I am one of the Thame Town Councillors who signed Councillor Dyer’s motion, as it is right that the Returning Officer should be held to account, but there are further points that I would like to make.

It was obvious to anyone attending the count that everyone working there was doing the very best s/he could, but the problem was that there were just not enough officers for the amount of work.

The ruling group on SODC pride themselves on saving money and many posts have been cut in the joint work with the Vale of White Horse Council. Therefore the buck stops with SODC’s Cabinet, who make decisions and not the officer employed by them.

It was very annoying and tiring that the count on 6th May took so long, but it was not a matter on the same scale of importance as housing or benefits issues for example.

Can the SODC Councillors, who are members of the ruling group, assure local people that there are enough officers to deal with matters such as these as quickly as is needed by residents in the SODC area?

Councillor Mary Stiles
Thame Town Council (North Ward)

DEAR Editor, I read in the paper today that gas prices are expected to rise by 20% this year and electricty similarly. This must change the business case for renewables…

I was also fascinated to read how progressive communities in Gernany are taking responsibility for their own power supply..and taking on the industry giants (some lessons to learn here!) – see:

LINK

And of course Transition Town Lewes has been instrumental in setting up a power station in the town: see
LINK

…nearer home in High Wycombe they have a a buying club for renewable energy systems:
LINK

Haddenham in Transition
LINK

Letter to the editor: As one of the Labour Party candidates and agent for the other Labour Party candidates in Thame and Chinnor, I would like to thank all local residents who voted for us last Thursday. As you will know by now, Adam Buckland was returned to the Thame Town Council to continue representing Thame South residents so well. Simon Stone and Julie Marfleet in Chinnor and myself in Thame South (Ed. to the District), may not have been elected but we will ensure that issues raised with us on the doorstep will be passed to someone who can take them up on your behalf.

Residents in Thame may not be aware that in Thame North there was not an election for Town Councillors, because there were exactly 8 candidates for the 8 seats. This means that Andy Gunn and I are back on the Town Council after 8 years.

In my campaign for a District Council seat in Thame South I called round, talking with hundreds of people on the doorstep, from last November right up to the evening before polling day. It is so important for councillors to ask people their opinions – it is the only way of properly representing local residents. Adam will be taking up issues raised by Thame South residents, if he hasn’t done so already! Starting tomorrow Andy and I will be coming round to houses in Thame North to introduce ourselves and find out what we can do for you, as two of the councillors representing you on Thame Town Council.

If you need to contact us before we arrive at your house, please do leave a message at Thame Town Hall and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Mary Stiles

DEAR EDITOR, In response to some letters concerning the red (or not so red) telephone box on your Letters to the Editor page please can I explain.

I had, of course noticed how bad the telephone box was looking but I didn?t feel the need to respond to the letters earlier as it was already in our plans for Tidy Thame Day and I didn?t want to ruin the surprise!
Thanks to Lee Andrews Painting and decorating giving his services free of charge for the community of Thame I think the Telephone box now enhances the front of the town hall complete with flag and flower planter.
We have now completed our first Tidy Thame Day and I feel the need to put pen to paper.
What an amazing day!

The Sun Shone…The people of Thame shone!
Unfortunately I didn?t manage to get round to every person who helped on the day so I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive collective thank you to everybody involved.
Telephone boxes were painted, bus stops cleaned, benches repaired, weeds from gutters removed, hedges trimmed, pathways cleared and the whole town of Thame blitzed of litter.

We had Schools, residents groups, churches, rotary club, scouts, guides, air cadets, allotment groups, the cuttlebrook volunteers, Thame fire fighters and lots and lots of community spirited individuals all coming together to make Thame a tidier and nicer place to live, work, rest and play.
I would also like to say a big thank you to all the Thame Town Council staff and councillors who gave up their Sunday to help make the day such a success.
Lastly I would like to send this appeal to all the residents of Thame;

Please, please help us to keep Thame this way and if you have any more ideas or projects that would help us in our goal of making Thame a ?Tidy Town? please let me know, because I now know that the people of Thame can rise to the challenge!
?Ask not what your TOWN can do for you; ask what YOU can do for your town?
Agree? Yes. Then join us on our next Tidy Thame Day.
Date to be announced!
Onwards and upwards!

Adam Buckland
(Mayor of Thame)

Dear Editor, You were kind enough to use a short letter I sent to you on March 6 pointing out the neglected state of the traditional red telephone kiosk outside Thame Town Hall. Today I noticed that it has a bright, shiny new coat of red paint and the moss has gone from its roof. I think this may indicate the power of the press.

Norman Brand
Fanshawe Road

Dear Editor, I have often noticed that the old-fashioned red telephone kiosk outside Thame Town Hall looks neglected. It badly needs a coat of paint and, as of yesterday, I saw that there is moss on its roof.

Presumably it survived the BT national cull of these telephone boxes because it was in such a picturesque setting. Somebody, I thought, must have noticed its condition and somebody must have it in his or her power to do something about it. Indeed, I thought, I might be something of a busbody in raising the matter, and there must be something I don’t know. However, the telephone box still looks unloved, so I mention it now.

Norman Brand
Fanshawe Road

Dear Editor, I live in Skippon Way in Thame and mine and my neighbour?s garden rubbish bins were not emptied on Monday (21/02). I called Verdant on Monday, early afternoon, to report this and they assured me there would be a collection that day.

They have still not been emptied, so I phoned Verdant this morning to let them know and they told me that the lorry came around but my bin was not out! I told them that my bin WAS out and had been out since the Sunday night.

I have just spoken to Linda at South Oxfordshire District Council, and after looking at the reports, she said that the lorry came around at about 12 noon on Monday, but said that the report showed that my bin and my neighbours bin were not out. She then said that there was no log of my call on Monday. She then said that the bins would not be emptied now until the next recycling collection date!

I would appreciate if anyone else in Thame whose garden waste bin was not emptied on Monday, February 21, to let me know through you.

Many thanks,
Clare Dawson
Skippon Way
THAME

Email: editor@thamenews.net

Dear Editor, I have been reading with interest the letters published on your web site (letter to the Editor) from Mr Butler regarding his battle with Thame Town Council over his application for a Coffee King street trading licence in Thame.

Is it me or has anyone else noticed Thame Town Councillors total silence with regards to the new Wild Bean Cafe coffee outlet that is coming to town at the new refurbished BP petrol station.

Could it be they are not aware of it, or is it a case that the councillors don?t wish to object to a powerful major brand?

I quote from a previous post ?… there were more than enough coffee-selling establishments in the town, including take-away? ????

S Gee
Wellington Street
Thame

Dear Editor, STANDING IN DEFIANCE OF INJUSTICE IN EGYPT – A Statement from the Oxford University Islamic Society and Partners – (OXFORD, 2/2/2011):

“The Oxford University Islamic Society, alongside other Oxford University societies and their academic partners both within Oxford and beyond, unequivocally condemn the Mubarak regime and support the will of the Egyptian people for freedom, dignity, and human rights.

“For 30 years, the despotic regime of Hosni Mubarak and his gang have mercilessly ruled Egypt. Under the guise of a three-decade state of emergency, which suspends constitutional rights, extends the power of
the police, and legalizes media censorship, they have created a police state to perpetuate their power. They have brutally opposed any who would stand in their way by means of coercion, intimidation, and aggression.

This ruling junta has flouted basic human rights, denying Egyptian citizens freedom of speech, equal protection under the law, freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention, freedom to peacefully assemble, and the right to choose their representatives. Mubarak and his party have established corruption, mistrust, and enmity within Egyptian society.

“On 25 January 2011, the Egyptian people took a stand. United, they rose up against the fear that had been the regime’s most potent weapon. This is not the movement of a secretive, organised opposition
interest, but a collective of wide swathes of Egyptian society united in their will for a new tomorrow. Courageously risking their lives and livelihoods, they have come together to protest the chronic tyranny,
injustice, and oppression under which they have lived for the past 30 years. As a result of brutal attempts to stifle the uprisings, many have died?UN estimates suggest that nearly 300 people have lost their
lives, and nearly 3000 more have been injured since demonstrations began, and these numbers are climbing daily.

“Despite these dangers, throngs continue to protest the rule of Hosni Mubarak in cities and towns across Egypt. While he has made several substandard attempts to placate the demonstrators, Mubarak continues to defy the ultimate will of the Egyptian people that he step down and leave Egypt immediately. In his last grasps at the power that is quickly escaping him, this
cowardly dictator has enlisted thugs and mercenaries to sabotage the unity of the demonstrators and to attack innocent men, women, and children who are defending their dignity.

“We join the Egyptian people in peacefully demanding that Hosni Mubarak forfeit the office of the President immediately, and that the state of emergency be lifted promptly. Furthermore we support the call for free
and fair elections to be established in Egypt as soon as possible.

“Finally, we condemn the use of violence or destruction of property by any party and echo the call for Mubarak to meet the demands of the Egyptian people without delay so that a new just and peaceful order
can be established in Egypt.

“The Oxford University Islamic Society is one of the largest and most active student societies in the University. It’s members are actively reporting on the protests in Egypt, including live reports from the
street via twitter (@aishasaad)http://twitter.com/#!/aisaad and the
mobilization of over 399,000 facebook supporters in its Virtual March
of Millionshttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126197157451259